The Ljubljana Rowing Club, one of the oldest sports clubs in Slovenia, has been operating along the Ljubljanica River for over a century. Today, it faces spatial limitations and outdated infrastructure that no longer support the development of contemporary sports activities and broader community programs. The existing building is undersized, lacks room for expansion, and offers no adequate outdoor training areas, while the interrupted riverside path weakens the connection between the city and the natural environment of the Ljubljana Marshes.
The thesis proposes a contemporary architectural design that establishes new spatial conditions for the club’s operation while creating a public space that unites sport, culture, and recreation. The concept derives from the site’s character and the dynamic movement of both the river and rowing. The new building integrates into the landscape with lightness and transparency, continuing Plečnik’s vision of Ljubljana’s water axis. The design opens the club’s formerly private domain to public use, transcending the boundaries of sports infrastructure and creating an inclusive space accessible to the wider community. The basement level accommodates a boat hangar with service areas, providing direct contact with the river and allowing the continuation of the riverside promenade toward the Ljubljana Marshes. The ground floor combines club facilities with a multifunctional space and a riverside café. Outdoor areas – terraces, stands, and walkways – extend the public realm, inviting gathering, observation, and movement.
The design of the Ljubljana Rowing Club re-establishes the relationship between the city and the river, creating a contemporary, open, and accessible public space that connects sport, community, and nature into a unified spatial experience.
|
